Region wins $62.7M for 88 projects

Governor's "Open for Business" grants range from $14,000 for training to $11.5M for Port of Albany

By RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau

Updated 9:57 pm, Thursday, December 8, 2011

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 1of/19

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 19

Lt. Governor Robert J. Duffy speaks at before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Lt. Governor Robert J. Duffy speaks at before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 2 of 19

Bruce J. Katz, vice president at the Brookings Institution and founding Director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program speaks at before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Bruce J. Katz, vice president at the Brookings Institution and founding Director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program speaks at before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 3 of 19

Michael J. Castellana, SEFCU president and CEO, left and RPI President Shirley Jackson speak who spearheaded the grant process for the Capital Region speak before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Michael J. Castellana, SEFCU president and CEO, left and RPI President Shirley Jackson speak who spearheaded the grant process for the Capital Region speak before the announcement of winners of the Regional ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 4 of 19

Albany County Executive Elect Dan McCoy arrives before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Albany County Executive Elect Dan McCoy arrives before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 5 of 19

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings in attendance at the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings in attendance at the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 6 of 19

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. Skelos' region won one of the biggest grants at over $1M. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. Skelos' region won one of the ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 7 of 19

Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 8 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo listens to all of the speakers before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Governor Andrew Cuomo listens to all of the speakers before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 9 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 10 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 11 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 12 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 13 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 14 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 15 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 16 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo, center stands with Capital Region representatives Shirley Jackson, President of RPI, left and Michael J. Castellana, SEFCU president and CEO after the announcement of of the Regional Economic Development grant to the Capital Region at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Governor Andrew Cuomo, center stands with Capital Region representatives Shirley Jackson, President of RPI, left and Michael J. Castellana, SEFCU president and CEO after the announcement of of the Regional ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 17 of 19

Business and professional leaders from across the state gathered for the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Business and professional leaders from across the state gathered for the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Image 18 of 19

Governor Andrew Cuomo, right stands with Lt. Governor Robert Dufy, left; Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic Development grants at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. Dec. 8, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Governor Andrew Cuomo, right stands with Lt. Governor Robert Dufy, left; Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos before the announcement of winners of the Regional Economic ... more

But the local panel will still get $62.7 million in public money — either direct grants or tax credits — to help jump-start 88 projects ranging from low-income housing improvements and job training to biomedical research and rail yard improvements.

The payouts range in cost from $14,000 for a training program for manufacturing to $11.5 million for improvements to the Port of Albany that will double its capacity on the eastern shore of the Hudson. Some of the other big-ticket projects approved include:

The big winners among the state's 10 regional development panels, receiving more than $100 million each, were Western New York, Central New York, the North Country and Long Island.

Capital Region business leaders stressed the local haul was still impressive. "There are $62 million that are going to stay here in the Capital Region," Castellana said.

Besides, he noted, there will be another chance to compete next year. In his speech before the awards ceremony, Cuomo said legislative leaders had just agreed to fund another major effort in 2012.

The governor touted the competition as a way to get businesses and civic leaders within the 10 regions working together rather than in their own silos.

And he said the regional approach was an acknowledgement that development strategies should be as varied as the state's geography.

"There is no single New York state economy: There's a Long Island economy, there's a Western New York economy, there's a North Country economy," Cuomo said.

Overall, the governor and his team announced $785 million in grants and tax credits for more than 700 projects across the state.

Each region submitted a five-year plan that was scored on a number of criteria.

While there was much talk about "transformative" projects incorporating the world of high technology or advanced medical research, many of the actual grants and tax breaks went to projects that were already running or could get started quickly to create jobs. Many projects involve activities such as upgrading small downtown areas or renovating housing for the needy — projects similar to "pork barrel" grants in the past.

"There is such an imperative for job creation now, in the next three or six or nine months," said Kenneth Adams, CEO of the Empire State Development Corp., one of the nine state agencies handing out the funds.

"Projects that are good to go ... with capacity to create jobs in the short term were ranked high," Adams said after the presentation.

Some of the awards across the state consisted of tax credits to manufacturers that need to purchase equipment to expand their operations, added Bruce Katz, a vice president at the Brookings Institution think tank and one of the judges for the various proposals.

He noted U.S. manufacturing has seen a recent resurgence. Many upstate factories could expand their output if they had more equipment and skilled workers.

"You have the tools in New York," he said.

Wednesday night — barely nine hours before the awards — lawmakers approved a tax overhaul that Cuomo characterized as a jobs initiative designed to raise money for infrastructure projects such as road and bridge repairs.

Many infrastructure improvements were among the recipients in the "Open for Business" plan.

While the tax changes were kept under tight wraps until they were presented to lawmakers, Thursday's awards, at The Egg theater, had an almost Hollywood quality.

The event was hosted by CNBC business reporter Maria Bartiromo. As well as video clips, including one in which former President Bill Clinton, like Bartiromo, praised Cuomo's efforts, there was a bit of stage management.

Staffers directed audience members to sit next to one another to minimize the sense that there were lots of empty seats. (In fact, the auditorium was largely full.)